Mayor Appoints 3 Judges, Seeks Longer Voting Hours

Number Of Sykesville Voters Factor In Decision

SYKESVILLE — Mayor Lloyd R. Helt Jr. appointed three election judges and asked for a motion to extend voting hours for this spring's municipal election during Monday night's Town Council meeting.

Erika Brandenburg was appointed secretary of the election board. The judges, all approvedunanimously, are Thelma Wimmer, Richard Springer and Sarah Sayers.

Helt also asked for approval to extend voting hours for the May 7election from 1-9 p.m. to 8 a.m.-8 p.m. to give people more time tovote.

Another factor in the decision was the number of registeredvoters on the town and county rolls.

Last month's list of voters from the Carroll County Board of Election Supervisors had 824 names on it, which Brandenburg and Wimmer checked for accuracy.

"We checked the county list against the town tax roll and found very few mistakes," Brandenburg said. "Ninety-three persons are registered just with the town."

Helt noted the need for extended voting hours with more than 900 residents on the rolls.

There is in the charter, however, one possible problem with changing the voting hours.

"The towncharter is unclear if an amendment is needed to change the hours," Helt said.

Since there is no ordinance on the town books about election hours, Helt thought a simple motion by the council would suffice, but he asked Town Manager James L. Schumacher to check with Town Attorney Dennis Hoover and report back at the next meeting.

After Council President Charles B. Mullins pointed out that the budget would need to be amended to allow for extra payment of the election judges,the council unanimously passed a motion to extend voting hours.

Residents who are not yet registered to vote may do so until April 4. Forms are available at the Town House during regular hours.

Three council seats are up for grabs in this year's election. Mullins and Councilman Charles L. "Tim" Ferguson said they had not decided if theywere running.

But Councilwoman Maxine C. Wooleyhand said she is running for a second term.

Candidates' Night will be April 8 at theregular Town Council meeting. Registered voters may nominate candidates for the council seat at that time, Helt said.